Unquenchables v Melbourne Uni

​Venue: Harlequins
Weather: Windy
Pitch: Average
Score: Lost 24 - 31
Captain: Francois Darcos
Man of the Match: Peter Collins

A better result in that we actually had 16 players plus Bryan before kick-off. With 6 Backs in the team it was a more composed Boxhill that took the field. The forwards, including “broken Fingernail” Ramsden started off well by securing good ball from the kick-off. Halfback Steve Merchant sent long passes to 5/8th Collins and with the return of Birdy to centre the ball flowed to the wing but unfortunately we were unable to penetrate the University defence. An errant pass allowed University to score under the posts. 7-0

Play continued up and down the pitch until University scored again. 12-0

Good pressure from the forwards with Rod Jones making good ground ably supported by Chris Goycoolea and Jim Halls. In defence “Fast” Eddy and Francois the “Flying Frenchman” cleaned up probing kicks by University and commenced the attack which saw the ball moved back to the forwards and then slipped to 5/8 Collins who carved through the opposition to score. 12 -5.

The second half saw University score twice more and although hard pressed the forwards again took the ball up to the opposition and a rampaging Phil Hand crossed over to bring the score to 24 – 10.

We’re on the way back was the comments from the sideline but a few injuries started to slow us down. Chris “Peugeot” came off with a bleeding broken fingernail. “Put some tape on it, I have to get back on” he cried. Little did he know it was a compound fracture. Nathan Banks collecting the ball from a kick surged forward to create a ruck which allowed the backs to charge again allowing Peter Collins crossed the line to bring the score to 24 – 17.

Another foray saw University put on another try to bring the score to 31 – 17. Boxhill did not give up and a good run from Greg Joubert saw him tackled just short of the 22 line. Greg was carried from the field with a painful neck injury and was replaced by Ziggy who also carried a niggling shoulder injury from previous matches. A determined charge by Rod Jones saw him cross the line for his first try. The supporters went wild, another slab they cried. Rod Bird taking the conversion slipped over as he kicked it and was rewarded as ball hit the upright and went over for 2 points. Score 31 -24

A better game played in the right spirit but we need more players turning up as the same ones put in week after week.

Next weeks match on 30th July is at Melbourne University kick-off at 2:00 pm. Melways 43F1.